On top of Glassy Mountain, elevation 2783 feet and a 4.6 mile round trip from the sightseer parking lot at Carl Sandburg home in Flat Rock NC.
Today is one of those days you’re glad to be awake considering the alternative which used to be six-feet under in a box. Today the alternative is a pile of ashes in a cannister, located on the fireplace mantle or used as a book-end on a shelf or spread across some interesting location never to be visited again.
In any case with the ashes, you’re soon forgotten and there’s really no place for those who care to visit, stare at the ground, and whisper memories of a life gone by. “I love you; here are some flowers you’ll enjoy until they die.”
So much for the gruesome stuff. But please continue…
Today is my birthday, born on a Monday 71 years ago in Sanford NC. I’m celebrating this anniversary in Hendersonville, NC, near Flat Rock, known for Carl Sandburg and his home, and Mills River, location of a beautiful Sierra Nevada brewery, known for lots of beer.
We arrived Wednesday; Thursday, we hiked 4.6 miles including 55 flights in one of those towns and not visited the other wishing I could if just to get one flight, if you know what I mean. The beer at Sierra Nevada is terrific and much more enjoyable than the 55 flights I had at Carl’s Place, though the latter is a bit more heathy than the former.
The joy of celebrating my birthday in Hendersonville is that I’m with my wife and our two granddaughters Olivia and Sophie whose parents celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary yesterday—May 25—with a trip to a nicely renovated old-school Holiday Inn resort on Jekyll Island in the south of Georgia, the state not the country.
The two granddaughters are interesting to say the least. One is 14 years old and the other is nine. The younger is hilarious; the older is a nice teenager. They’re fun to be around. (NOTE: We were with our three and a half year-old grandson Samuel earlier in the month. His parents went to London during the coronation.)
I don’t remember too many of my 71 birthdays. The older I get the fewer come to mind. That’s the case with most of us unless it’s a surprise party as was the 70th birthday for my wife, Nancy. Well-planned; many relatives and friends at a nice Cary restaurant. She had no idea and was stunned when she walked into the private room. We talk about it now, one and a half years later.
One of my birthday memories is my 58th when I played 58 holes of golf, using three different sets of tees at Lonnie Poole Golf Course and scoring within a stroke or two for all three. I started about 7:30 that morning, just me, using a riding cart, hitting every shot, holing all putts before moving to the next hole.
I played so well and so quickly that I completed my first 18 holes before the group behind me made the turn after nine holes. The starter—who knew what I was attempting because the head pro informed him—suggested I continue my quest on the 10th hole which I did, getting in 27 holes with no obstacles ahead.
For the next 27 holes, I played with several different people, and after finishing 54 holes, I played the 10th, 11th, 17th and 18th holes for the 58 total holes for 58 total years. My day was completed about 3:30 that afternoon. The three complete rounds were scored at 79, 80 and 81.
The 4.6 mile hike from the Carl Sandburg Home to the top of Glassy Mountain and then back down to a goat farm and back to the car was not on my birthday. It was the day before but I count it as part of my 71st birthday experience. It was a huffer and puffer of a walk up over 600 feet in elevation from the base to the top. The view was very nice; momentary rest was better!
We had dinner Thursday night at Papas & Beer, a Mexican fare restaurant in Hendersonville where once the wait staff was told of my birthday, the wait person brought me a dish of fried ice cream with chocolate syrup and whipped cream and then he spread the syrup and cream on my nose. Funny!
Today, on my birthday, Nancy and I walked the flat trails of the Park at Flat Rock which used to be a golf course. (Does it always come to that?) I tried to play a couple of golf courses on my birthday but was not successful in talking my way onto those private arenas.
The walk around the Park at Flat Rock was a decent substitute considering I had played Blowing Rock Country Club and Elk River Club earlier in the week. No reason for golf while in Hendersonville. Today’s walking distance mirrored yesterday’s at 4.6 miles but only three flights of elevation change.
Today, Nancy and I visited the Blue Ridge Beer Garden in Hendersonville for lunch from a pretty good food truck. The beer we had was a delicious IPA, Homestyle from Bearded Iris Brewing in Nashville TN. And, this afternoon, we took our granddaughters to Chick-fil-A where I had one of my favorite chocolate milkshakes.
I’ve received the regular birthday wishes from siblings and friends and from lots of people through LinkedIn. And, there was a late afternoon, special telephone call from my 80-year old friend Mike Dineen, who’s been battling and beating cancer for many years. We had a great conversation.
All in all, my 71st birthday was special, reflecting on past celebrations and looking ahead to more. Thanks for your Happy Birthday wishes! If you send any after reading this, I’ll see them tomorrow when I awake again.
Jim it has been a pleasure playing golf with you and I would like to wish you the best of birthday's ! May you have many more healthy ones! Alway's enjoy the stories!
Sounds like a great birthday Jimmy (still my favorite brother.. but don't tell anyone). Hugs to the girls and Nancy .. and Chris and Christy when they return.. extend congrats to them on their anniversary. Love ya loads!!